CHAPTER 17

Underground Connections

The streets whispered secrets in the dead of night, and I had become fluent in their language. My heels tapped against the cracked pavement, an eerie rhythm that matched the pounding of my heart. The city had always been a beast, indifferent and unforgiving, but now, I wasn't just another lost soul. I was learning to tame it.

I turned down an alley, my senses sharp, my instincts keener than ever. Shadows loomed, twisting into figures as I approached. A man, broad-shouldered with a scar slicing down his cheek, leaned against the brick wall, his cigarette a dim orange glow in the darkness. Beside him, a woman with cropped hair and piercing eyes studied me, arms crossed, unreadable.

"You came back," she said, voice laced with amusement. "Didn't think you'd make it through the first week."

I smirked, stepping closer. "Well, I'm full of surprises."

Scarface chuckled, flicking the cigarette into the gutter. "Alright, Celeste. Let's see if you've got what it takes."

It had started as a desperate move, seeking out the kind of people who thrived in the city's underbelly—those who understood survival better than anyone. I had no choice. If I wanted to control my fate, I had to learn the rules of the game and, more importantly, how to break them without getting caught.

She—Ava, the sharp-eyed woman—had taken an interest in me. She taught me how to see beyond what people presented, to read the flicker of hesitation, the twitch of a lie. Scarface—Leo—showed me how to defend myself and how to stand my ground even when fear crawled up my spine. They weren't just criminals or grifters; they were strategists and survivors.

Tonight was another lesson.

Leo lunged, his movements quick despite his size. I barely had time to react before his fist cut through the air. Instinct kicked in. I ducked, pivoting to the side, my own fist shooting forward. He caught my wrist mid-strike, twisting me around until my back slammed into his chest. I gritted my teeth, my pulse thrumming against his grip.

"Too slow," he murmured near my ear. "Again."

I yanked free, spinning around with a sharp elbow aimed at his ribs. This time, I connected. He grunted, stepping back, his grin widening. "Better."

Ava clapped slowly. "You're learning. But knowing how to fight is one thing—knowing when to fight is another."

I exhaled sharply, pushing stray strands of hair from my face. "Then teach me."

She studied me for a long moment, then nodded. "Alright. Time for something different."

We moved to a dimly lit café, the kind where no one asked questions as long as you paid. A man was waiting at the back booth, his fingers tapping against the table. His suit was expensive, his smile predatory.

"This," Ava whispered, "is where the real game begins."

I slid into the seat across from him, keeping my expression neutral. He smelled like wealth and quiet corruption, the kind of man who pulled strings from the shadows. I had seen his type before, but now, I was prepared.

"Celeste," he greeted us smoothly. "I hear you're looking to make connections."

I leaned back, mirroring his relaxed stance. "Depends. Are you worth my time?"

He laughed, dark and rich. "I like you already."

The conversation became a dance—verbal feints, careful pauses. Ava had drilled it into me: never let them see your desperation, never reveal more than you must. He offered a deal, something about business investments, but I knew the subtext. Power. Control. Influence disguised as an opportunity.

I smiled, but my mind raced. Trust was a currency here, more valuable than money, more fragile than glass. And I couldn't afford to place mine in the wrong hands.

The night stretched on, each interaction another test. Reading intentions, twisting perceptions. I watched, learned, adapted. By the time I stepped back onto the streets, I wasn't the same woman who had walked into that alley.

Leo clapped a hand on my shoulder. "You did well tonight."

Ava smirked. "You're starting to see how the world really works."

I inhaled deeply, the cool air filling my lungs. I had entered their world looking for survival, but now… now I see something more.

Opportunity.

And I wasn't going to waste it.

But as I turned a corner, a shadow detached from the wall, moving toward me with purpose. My breath hitched as a voice, smooth and dangerous, cut through the night.

"Celeste," he murmured. "You're playing a dangerous game."

I stiffened. I knew that voice.

And just like that, the game changed again.